19/07/2008 - Colin looks to make mark in striking role
COLIN Daniel has been offered the chance to be moulded into a centre-forward.
Signed from non-league Eastwood Town as a potential left-sided replacement for David Vaughan – who left to join Real Sociedad last season – Daniel struggled to make an impact as Crewe flirted with relegation to League Two.
After a brief substitute appearance at Hartlepool last December, he endured an aborted loan spell at Hayes before finishing the season even further down the pyramid at Leek Town.
Perhaps conscious of the fact Joel Grant’s arrival could further restrict Daniel’s chances of making a breakthrough, Crewe’s coaching staff have spent time on some striking lessons with the 21-year-old, although he appeared as a second-half substitute at Biddulph in midweek on the left flank.
“Colin has got to go on this season and be around about the team,” pointed out Alex assistant manager Neil Baker.
“We have been working on him in training as a striker, but we didn’t want to disrupt that and played him on the left wing when he came on at Biddulph.
“He got a couple of crosses in and got a great goal, so that will give him the confidence he doesn’t normally show.
“We’ll keep working on Colin as a centre-forward, whether he gets the chance to play there depends on the numbers we have. But that will be another string to his bow.”
Pre-season offers the chance of experimentation, as well as blooding some untried talent.
And this year has been no different with first-year professionals Luke Danville, Chris Clements and Ashley Westwood all featuring in the recent Bulgaria trip, while second-year pro James Bailey was tried out in an unfamiliar left-back role at Biddulph.
“Both Luke Danville and Ashley Westwood did well, although they have a bit to learn,” noted Baker.
“Luke needs to improve on the ball and Westy needs to defend better. There were a couple of occasions when his defending could have cost us against Maritsa.
“But Steve (Holland) did well to integrate them with the first team and take them to Bulgaria. The whole trip should prove to be a good experience for them, while James Bailey has done well whenever he has stepped up to first-team level.”
